What has been your experience as the ESO Officer in Army Special Operations?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 10:10:04 -0400

I have an opportunity to become a ESO in a HHC for a CA brigade in the reserves. I have heard they do not properly utilize them and they end up being a the officer that all the additional duties are assigned to. Anyone have any experience in this regard? Im in that situation now and I don't want it to continue. I have heard good things about CA and would like the opportunity to serve with them. I feel like I could bring a lot to the table in supporting their mission.

Response by LTC Ray B. (Ret) made Sep 11 at 2019 11:51 AM

LTC Ray B. (Ret) — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 11:51:34 -0400

The ESO position a Govt special slot. You will not be a 38A with the same opportunities as 38A. You will be in the functional specialist section. Additional duties typically go to the LTs.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2019 9:06 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 09:06:42 -0400

I have been an 72D (ESEO) in the old USAR CA Special Ops. (older FID/UW) CA BN and at a CA Command (Functional Specialty Cell) for more than 11 years. Currently, the only USAR CA eschelons that have 72Ds are the CA BDEs (O-4 slots) and at each of the four CA Commands (x3 O-5 Slots per Command). To be honest, being medical of any capacity in CA is doing nothing more than being a planner with the expectation of working with host nation public health governmental orgs, NGO, OGO, IGO, etc. If you are expecting hands-on public health as a ESEO like a preventive medicine DET, etc. you may want to stay out of CA.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2019 11:03 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 11:03:51 -0400

Reserve CA is not Special Operations. While the reserves make up over 90% of the CA force, it is still a general purpose unit. Only the active component of CA is SOF.